Upgrade To Ubuntu 24.04 LUKS With Manual Partitioning

Nov 15, 2025 by Alex Johnson 54 views

Ubuntu 24.04 LUKS Encrypted Installation with Manual Partitioning

Upgrading your system while maintaining a dual-boot setup and ensuring your data remains encrypted can seem daunting. If you're running a dual-boot system with Windows 11 and an older Ubuntu version like 22.04, you might face challenges upgrading to Ubuntu 24.04, especially with LUKS encryption. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough on how to upgrade to Ubuntu 24.04 with LUKS encryption using manual partitioning, addressing common issues like insufficient /boot partition size. This approach is especially useful when the default upgrade process fails due to partition limitations or when you want more control over the partitioning scheme.

Understanding the Challenge

Before diving in, let's understand the core issues. Many users encounter problems when upgrading their Ubuntu systems, particularly when LUKS encryption is involved. The default upgrade process often fails because the existing /boot partition is too small to accommodate the new kernel and associated files. Additionally, dual-boot setups with Windows can introduce complexities, especially if Windows is managed with BitLocker (though in this scenario, BitLocker is off, which simplifies things). Manual partitioning gives you the flexibility to resize or create new partitions to meet the requirements of Ubuntu 24.04, ensuring a smooth and secure upgrade.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following:

Backup: Back up all your important data. This is crucial as manual partitioning involves risks, and data loss can occur if something goes wrong.
Ubuntu 24.04 Installation Media: Download the Ubuntu 24.04 ISO image and create a bootable USB drive.
Bootable USB Drive: Tools like Rufus or balenaEtcher can help you create a bootable USB drive from the ISO image.
Sufficient Free Space: Ensure you have enough free space on your hard drive to create or resize partitions for Ubuntu 24.04. Consider at least 20GB for the root partition (/).
Windows Recovery Media (Optional): Have Windows recovery media in case the upgrade process affects the Windows bootloader.

Step-by-Step Guide to Ubuntu 24.04 LUKS Encrypted Installation with Manual Partitioning

Step 1: Boot from the Ubuntu 24.04 Installation Media

Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer.
Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is usually done by pressing Delete, F2, F12, or Esc during startup.
In the BIOS/UEFI settings, change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive.
Save the changes and exit. Your computer should now boot from the Ubuntu 24.04 installation media.

Step 2: Start the Ubuntu Installation

Once the system boots from the USB drive, you'll see the Ubuntu welcome screen.
Select "Try Ubuntu" to start a live session. This allows you to use GParted and other tools before making any changes to your disk.

Step 3: Prepare Partitions Using GParted

Open GParted. You can find it by searching in the Activities overview.
Identify your existing partitions. You should see your Windows partitions (usually NTFS) and your existing Ubuntu partitions (including the LUKS encrypted partition).
Resize Existing Partitions (If Necessary):
- If your /boot partition is too small, you'll need to resize it. However, resizing an encrypted partition directly is not recommended. Instead, you might need to create a new /boot partition.
- Shrink your root partition (/) or another large partition to create free space.
Create a New /boot Partition (If Necessary):
- Select the unallocated space.
- Click "New."
- Create a new partition with the following settings:
  - Size: At least 1GB (recommended).
  - File system: ext4.
  - Label: boot
Note: If you already have a sufficient /boot partition and don't need to resize or create a new one, skip this step.

Step 4: Start the Installation and Choose "Something Else"

Double-click the "Install Ubuntu 24.04 LTS" icon on the desktop.
Follow the prompts until you reach the "Installation type" screen.
Select "Something else." This option allows you to manually configure the partitions.

Step 5: Configure Partitions Manually

Identify the LUKS Encrypted Partition:
- Find the LUKS encrypted partition (it will likely be of type crypto_LUKS).
Configure the Root Partition (/):
- Select the LUKS encrypted partition.
- Click "Change."
- Choose "Use as:" Physical volume for encryption.
- You may be prompted to unlock the volume. Enter your LUKS passphrase.
- Once unlocked, select the unlocked volume.
- Click "Change" again.
- Choose "Use as:" Ext4 journaling file system.
- Set the mount point to / (root).
- Format the partition if you are doing a clean install. If you're upgrading, do not format to preserve your data.
Configure the /boot Partition:
- Select the /boot partition you created earlier (or the existing one if it's sufficient).
- Click "Change."
- Choose "Use as:" Ext4 journaling file system.
- Set the mount point to /boot.
- Do not format this partition if it already contains boot files from your previous installation.
Configure the Swap Partition (Optional):
- If you have a swap partition, select it.
- Click "Change."
- Choose "Use as:" swap area.
Select the Bootloader Installation Location:
- At the bottom of the partitioning screen, select the device for bootloader installation. This is usually the same drive where your root partition is located (e.g., /dev/sda).
- Important: Ensure you do not install the bootloader on a Windows partition.

Step 6: Complete the Installation

Click "Install Now."
Review the changes and confirm by clicking "Continue."
Follow the remaining prompts to set your location, keyboard layout, user account, and password.
Wait for the installation to complete. This may take some time.

Step 7: Reboot and Test the Installation

Once the installation is complete, click "Restart Now."
Remove the USB drive when prompted.
Your system should now boot into Ubuntu 24.04. You may be prompted to enter your LUKS passphrase to unlock the encrypted partition.
Log in with your user account and password.
Test the system to ensure everything is working correctly. Check your network connection, sound, graphics, and other hardware.

Step 8: Update and Upgrade the System

Open a terminal.
Update the package list:
```
sudo apt update
```
Upgrade the installed packages:
```
sudo apt upgrade
```

Step 9: Verify the Dual-Boot Setup

Restart your computer.
You should see the GRUB boot menu, which allows you to choose between Ubuntu 24.04 and Windows 11.
If Windows 11 is not listed, you may need to update the GRUB configuration. Boot into Ubuntu and run:
```
sudo update-grub
```
This command scans for other operating systems and adds them to the GRUB menu.
Restart your computer again to verify that Windows 11 is now listed in the GRUB menu.

Troubleshooting

Boot Issues: If you encounter issues booting into either Ubuntu or Windows, you may need to use a boot repair tool. Boot-Repair is a popular option for Ubuntu.
LUKS Passphrase Issues: If you forget your LUKS passphrase, you will not be able to access your encrypted data. This is why backing up your data is crucial.
GRUB Issues: If GRUB is not displaying correctly or is missing options, use the update-grub command or reinstall GRUB from a live session.

Conclusion

Upgrading to Ubuntu 24.04 with LUKS encryption and manual partitioning requires careful planning and execution. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth transition while maintaining the security of your data and the functionality of your dual-boot setup. Remember to back up your data before starting, and take your time to avoid mistakes during the partitioning process. With patience and attention to detail, you can successfully upgrade to the latest version of Ubuntu while keeping your system secure and organized.

For more in-depth information on LUKS encryption, visit the ArchWiki page on Disk Encryption.